Puccini’s first opera, Le villi, written for an opera competition, has never been a repertoire piece, but a concert performance by Opera Rara 10 days ago, preceded by a recording for release next year, did much to rehabilitate it in the ears of London opera lovers.
Le villi — or Le Willis, as OR billed its Royal Festival Hall concert of the 1884 version, conducted by Mark Elder in association with the LPO — may be an apprentice work, but at its first performance at Teatro dal Verme, in Milan, it put Puccini’s name on the operatic map at a time when Verdi was in semi-retirement. The 26-year-old telegraphed his mother excitedly: “Triumphant success. Beyond our hopes. First finale played three times.”
The composer’s